By Julius Ewudo, ASEAN Region Representative
Green Wheels has announced the successful media launch of its initiative, aimed at promoting sustainability in the cycling industry.
Cyber Era NG learns that the launch event, held on the morning of Friday 21st of June 2024, garnered significant media attention and positive feedback, marking a major milestone for the programme.
Green Wheels is an ambitious project from Revolve ReCYCLING dedicated to transforming the cycling industry by promoting sustainable practices and reducing the environmental impact of bike stores. The initiative includes providing audits to bike stores, launching an accreditation programme, creating industry-approved criteria, launching an online database, and hosting events.
Since the launch, Green Wheels has made remarkable progress, with over 20 stores already signing up to the Green Wheels database. These stores are now on the path to achieving accreditation, demonstrating their commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.
“We are incredibly pleased with the response we have received since our media launch,” said CEO of Revolve ReCYCLING the organisation that is leading the programme funded by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Guido Verbist . “The fact that more than 20 stores have already signed up is a testament to the cycling community’s dedication to sustainable practices. We are excited to support these stores in their journey towards a greener future.”
Executive Director at the NSW EPA, Alexandra Geddes said the programme will play an important role in the transition to a circular economy. “This grant is a fantastic opportunity to drive real change within the cycling industry. By supporting initiatives like Green Wheels, we can promote sustainable practices that not only benefit businesses but also contribute to broader environmental goals.”
The Green Wheels database serves as a comprehensive resource for bike riders and shoppers, providing guidelines, best practices, and support to help them meet the criteria for accreditation which is done in partnership with Bike Industries Australia (BIA) and their Sustainability Playbook. The programme’s success relies on the collaboration and participation of bike stores nationwide, and the initial response has been overwhelmingly positive.
Green Wheels is committed to fostering a sustainable cycling culture and invites more stores to join the movement. By participating, stores will not only contribute to environmental conservation but also benefit from the recognition and support that comes with Green Wheels accreditation.
“Like bikers, bike shop owners are largely environmentally-minded individuals who want to do the right thing but do not always have this opportunity because the options are not there.
Thanks to the EPA bin trim programme we are now not only able to audit their waste – which has never been done before – but indeed also to offer sustainable solutions to the bike shops for their waste streams which are dominated by cardboard, plastic rubber, metal and batteries. So far 100 bike shops have been audited and of those we have been able to offer an advanced level of waste separation 75 per cent have either already implemented it or are in the process of doing so,” said CEO Revolve Recycling Guido Verbist.
“For our stores to be listed as a Green Wheels sustainable bike shop, I’m really excited for the future and hope that this drives other bike stores to continue with these initiatives to take on the support from the team and really start working towards a more sustainable future for our industry,” commented State Manager 99 Bikes, Michelle Mordike.
“I am by no means an expert, but I understand the importance of our industry taking steps to become more sustainable. I have seen the waste we can generate both while competing and now on the other side of the sport. I am eager to learn from the team at Green Wheels alongside others in the industry,” offered Olympian and Hosking Bikes Owner, Chloe Hosking.
“It’s important in this day and age that every industry is moving forward on its sustainability goals, whether that be manufacturers, retailer or consumers, but it can be overwhelming to even start. As the owner of a cycling apparel brand, Muze Women, I am on a steep learning curve, but we’re going to do our best to become a sustainable cycling brand one step at a time and we can’t do that without bike shop’s help Establishing something simple like Green Wheels as a start for bike shops on their sustainability journey is a good first step,” stated Founder Muze Women Cycling Apparel, Nicole Stanners.
